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Information Security Exhibition and
Conference iSec2007 was inaugurated in Chennai recently by Tamil
Nadu Minister for Social Welfare Poongothai Aladi Aruna. This
exhibition-cum-conference showcased the latest trends, threats and
technology in data and network security from leading players in this
field. iSec2007 was a great boon for
all IT and ITeS companies as India 's IT industry is estimated to
grow at a compounded rate of 21 per cent over the next five years
and touch $ 65 billion in revenue, its spokesperson said. iSec2007
is aimed at creating awareness on protecting sensitive information
from unauthorised disclosure or intelligible interception.
Poongothai Aladi Aruna released a
handbook on information security and said, "India is the second
fastest growing IT security market in the Asia-Pacific region. As
private confidential information has become available to the public,
security has become a major concern. Hence, it is imperative, rather
mandatory, that we use information security tool positively not only
for the present but also for a better tomorrow."
She added, "Despite the setting up of
cyber crime cells in all major cities, there has been an increase in
the cyber crime rate due to lack of awareness."
Rohit Kumar, country head, Microsoft, in his keynote address, said,
"Privacy and security go hand-in-hand. If privacy is not there,
there is no security. Security is of high importance when it comes
to business practices. For instance, ICICI Bank have their own
website and there is also a site which looks exactly the same,
captures your information and then takes your money. This problem is
serious and is growing. Technology helps us to identify such
problems."
iSec2007 gave a broad focus on market trends, issues and challenges
of the security market. It helps in formulating stringent legal
frameworks, to deal with data protection and intellectual property
rights. It also emphasises the five areas critical to information
security - consumer awareness, early warning systems, corporate
governance, technical standards, and security across software
development.
The conference also included exchange of ideas and solutions on
technical standards and security across software development.
Daniel Zohar Zonshine, consul general, Government of Israel, in his
special address said, "Necessity is the mother of invention. Certain
necessity and constraints pushed Israel to the development of
advance technologies and to protect them. Realising this, Israel is
today one of the leaders in the field of information security."
"Inputs are being sought from industry bodies for the finalisation
of a comprehensive IT security policy to protect its e-governance
project and to stay ahead of others in the race," said C
Chandramouli, IT Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu.
"Tamil Nadu State Wide Area Network (TNSWAN) is in place and we are
using the network to implement e-governance in various departments
which will be used for intra-governmental activities and as a
secured gateway for which it needs a rigid information security
policy. The guidelines will be drawn on the lines of the Society for
Electronic Transactions and Security prepared by the Centre which
would enable us to know whether the database has been misused or not
and the finalisation of this information policy is in the progress,"
he added.
Ar Rm Arun, executive committee member, SICCI, said currently Indian
firms spend 5-15 per cent of their IT budget on information
security. He also said nearly $ 120 million worth of mobiles are
stolen or lost in the country every year. Users have to protect the
information and telephone numbers so that they are not misused. He
also stated, "Nearly 69 per cent of information theft is carried out
by current and ex-employees and 31 per cent by hackers."
N R Patnaik, chairman, iSec2007, proposed a vote of thanks.
R Rangaraj
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